Apparatus for controlling gas-cocks and electric-light switches.



B. SCHEIDEMANN. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING GAS COOKS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCHES.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 28. 1910.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

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APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING GAS COCKS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCHES.

APPLIGATION FILED 13110.28, 1910.

1,007,894, Patented N0v.7, 1911.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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BRUNO sonninnmnmv, or BERLIN, GERMANY, Assreivon or ONE-HALF r0 THE FIRM OF GEIBR'ilDE-R NEUMANN', OF BERLIN, GERMANY. I

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING GAS-COCKS AND ELECTRIC-LIGHT SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

Application filed December 28, 1910. Serial No. 599,668. a

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRUNO SoHnmnMANN,

a subject of the German Emperor, and re-' siding at Berlin, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for "Controlling Gas-Cocks and Electric-Light Switches, of which the following is' a'sp'ecification.

This invention relates to automatic means for operating the closure members of gaspipes or the switches of electrical conductors.

According to the invention a number each clockwork is located in such manner in the range of a clutch member connected'with the appertaining gas-cock or switch that,

when the clockwork is released at a desired moment, the two clutch members engage one another and the gas-cock or electric switch is moved. The gas-cock or electric switch is held in this position until it is disconnected by hand;

All the clockwork mechanisms and cocks or switches are simultaneously disconnected, according to the invention, by the cooks or switches being arranged in one casing and the clockwork mechanisms in the cover of this casing, the clutch members of the clock work mechanisms projecting into the casing when the cover thereof is closed. By opening the cover, the clutch members of the clockwork mechanisms are brought out of the range of the clutch members of-the clocks or'switches, and in order that the cocks or switches shall automatically return into their initial positions when they are disconnected, they are provided with weights or springs.

Some illustrative embodiments of the invention are represented by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side'elevation, partly in sect10n, showing one form of the invention comprismg two gas-cocks for one single principal flame; Fig. 2 is a front elevation,

on a smaller scale, "showing the same form 'f when the cover of the casing is open; Fig. 3

diagrammatically shows another form comprising three gascocks used for controlling f two principal flames-and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another form, in which two electric lamps or groups of lamps are controlled by means of three switches. Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, the gascocks 3 and 4 are interposed in the vertical conductor or main gas-pipe 2 in the fixed casing 1. The by-pass pipe 5 branches oil from the main pipe 2 in front of the gascock 4. On each spigot of the cocks 3 and 4 is a U-shaped clutch member 6 carrying a weight 7. I The cover or lid 8, attached by hinges 9 to the casing 1, carries the two clockwork mechanisms 10 and 11 which serve for actuating the two cocks 3 and 4 lating mechanism 12, driving mechanism 13,

and toothed wheel gearing, releasing springs and dials. On each axle 13 of the driving mechanism is the clutch member 14 which, in the illustrative embodiment, consists of a rod which, when the cover of the casing 1 is closed, is located in the plane of rotation of the clutch member 6 of the appertaining cock 3 or 4, so that the axles 13 must, of course, pass through the walls 111 in the covers 11 and enter into the casing 1. This form of apparatus according to the invention operates as follows :--It will be assumed that theprincipal flame at the burner attached to the pipe 2 is to be lighted at 6 p. m. and extinguished at 10 p.111. The clockwork appertaining to the cock 3 will accordingly be so set that the driving mechanism 13 of the same operates at 6 p. m. and rotates its axle 13 and the rod 14. The other' clockwork appertaining to the cock 4 is set correspondingly to 10 p. 111. After the members 6 and 14 of the two cocks have been disconnected by opening the cover 8 of the casing 1, the cock 3 is closed and the cock 4 is open, as shown in Fig.1. Now as soon as the clutch member 14 appertaining to the cock 3 is rotated at 6 p. m. by the mechanism 13, its rotatory motion is imparted to the clutch member 6 of the spigot of the cock, whereupon the cock 3 is opened.

Therefore both the cocks 3 and 4 are open, so that gas can now flow to the principal burner which is ignited by means of the by-pass flame burning at the pipe 5. As soon as the mechanism 13 of the clockwork appertaining to the second cock 4'operates at 10 p. m., the appertaining spigot is rotated and therefore the cock 4 is closed, whereby the flame at the burner fed by the pipe 2 is extinguished. The clutch members 6 of the two cocks 3 and 4 are held against the action of the weights 7 by the mechanisms .13 of the two clocks in the position which they occupy at 10 p. m. A readjustment takes place the next day solely by the cover 8 of the easing'being opened, when, as soon as the clutch members 14 come out of reach of the clutch members 6, the latter swing automatically under the act-ion of theirvweights 7 into the position shown in Fig. 2, so that the cock 3 is closed again and the cock 4 opened. When the cover 8 is closed the cou lingmembers 14 move into the plane of rot-atlon of the clutch members6 in order to actuate the gas-cocks again corresponding to the adjustment of the clocks at 6 or 10 p. m. or at any other,

desired time which is set.

In the illustrative embodiment according to Fig.3 the switching apparatus controls two principalflames, Two gas-cocks 16 and 17 are interposed in the gas-pipe 15 leading to the one principal burner, and between these the pipe 18 leading to the second principal burner branches'off. A third gas-cock 19 is interposed in the latter pipe. Each of these three cocks is provided, as in the illustrative embodiment according to Fig. 1, both with a clockwork mechanism 10 and clutch members 14, 6, and also with a weight 7 or a spring. The by-pass pipe 5 branches off in front of the bottom gas-cock 16 and is used for both the principal burners. Instead of leading to single burners, the pipes 15 and 18 may lead to groups of burners which are to be ignited or extinguished in succession.

The form of apparatus according to Fig. 3 operates as follows :It is assumed that, for the purpose of illuminating windows of stores, the groups of lamps connected to the two pipes 15 and 18 are to be ignited simultaneously at 6 p. m. and that the one group of lamps is to be extinguished at 9 p. m. when the store is closed and the second group of lamps at midnight. To this end, the clockwork appertaining to the gas-cock 16 isset to 6 p. m., that of the gas-cock 17 to 9 p. m. and that of the cock 19 to midnight. The gas-cock 16 is closed in its preparatory or normal position, and the two cocks 17 and 19 are open, as shown in Fig. 3. At 6 p. m. the stopcock 16 is opened, so that as the other two cocks 17 and 19 are already open, the two groups of lamps can be ignited. At 9 p. m. the cook 17 is closed and therefore the group of lamps connected as described above with reference to Fig.

3,,to electric conductors for the purpose of separately switching into and out of circuit the two lamps or groups of lamps 20 and 21 by means of the switches 22, 23 and 24. The group of lamps 21 appertains to the switch 24 and the group of lamps 20 to the switch 23. In the illustrative embodiment shown in Fig. 4 the switches are in the preparatory position; neither of the groups of lamps 20 or 21 is connected in circuit. Now if it is wished to connect in circuit the one group of lamps 20 at 6 p. m., the switch 23 is moved by its clockwork into the position shown in dotted lines, and the following circuit is closed pole of the source of current, feeder 25, switch 22, conductor 26, switch 23, conductor '27, switch 24, conductor 28, group of lamps 20, feeder 29, 30,- pole of the source of current; only the group of lamps 20 is therefore connected in circuit. Now if at 9 p. m. the group of lamps 21 alone is to be connected in circuit, the clockwork of the switch 24 must be set to this time, whereupon this switch will then be moved into the position indicated by dotted lines. The previously closed circuit will therefore be interrupted between the conductors 27 and 28 and the following circuit closed: pole of the source of current, feeder 25, switch 22, conductor 26, 31, switch "24, conductor 32, group of lamps 21 feeder 30, pole'of the source of current; the group of lamps 20 is therefore disconnected and the group of lamps 21 connected in circuit; If the groupof lamps 21 is to be switched ofi at midnight, the clockwork of the switch 22 must be set correspondingly so that the switch will be moved into the position indicated in dotted lines at this time. All the circuits will then be open.

The hereindescribed constructional forms of the invention may be modified. For example, all the gascocks or switches may be actuated by one single clockwork, presupposing that for each gas-cock or switch a special adjusting or coupling device is provided.

The invention may be employed for various purposes. It is suitable both for turning on and off street lamps or the main pipes leading to the same, and also for domestic and business purposes and the like. By correspondingly increasing the number of gas-cocks or switches any desired number of groups of lamps can be either successively connected in circuit and disconnected, or connected simultaneously and disconnected and disconnected simultaneously.

I claim 1. In means for controlling sources oflight, the combination, with the conductors leading to one or more sources of light, of a plurality of devices interposed in the conductor for opening and closing the same, yieldable means for normally holding certain of said devices closed and other of said devices open, an adjustable clockwork mechanism releasably clutching each of said devices for moving the same separately from normal position at a predetermined time, and means for releasing the clockwork mechanism from the devices to permit the yieldable means to return the devices to normal position. I

2. In means for controlling sources of light, the combination, with the conductors leading to one or more sources of light, of a plurality of devices interposed in the conductor for opening and closing the same, a weighted lever secured to each of said devices for holding certain of the devices nor-v mally closed and other of the devices nor,- mally open, an adjustable clockwork mechanism releasably clutching each of said devices respectively for moving them separately from normal position at a predetermined difi'erent time, and means for releasing the clockwork mechanism from the vices to permit the devices to assume their normal position under the action of the weighted lever.

3. In means for controlling sources of light, the combination, with the conductors leading to one or more sources of light, of a plurality of cut-off devices interposed in said conductor for opening and closing the same, yieldable means for holding certain of the devices normally closed and certain of them normally open, adjustable clockwork mechanisms, one for each device, adapted to clutch and operate the same and to be released therefrom when moved away from the devices, and a casing supporting the mechanisms and by which the mechanisms may be moved away fromthe devices when the casing is moved, whereupon the devices assume their normal positions under the action of the yielding means.

4. The combination, with a-gas-pipe having one or more gas-burners connected therewith, of a plurality of gas-cocks, each provided with a gravity-operated clutch-member, in the gas-pipe, a casing, having a hinged cover, incloslng' said gas-cocks, a plurality of axles in said cover each carrying a clutch-member. normally detachably engaging a gravity-operated clutch-member, and a plurality of clock-driven mechanisms in said cover each adapted to drive one of said axles at a predetermined time, the number of said gas-cocks being equal to the number of movements requisite for lighting and extinguishing the burners within a 7 given tim 5. The combination, with a gas-pipe having one or more burners connected therewith, of two gas-cocks interposed in the pipe, weighted clutch-members fixed to the spigots of the cocks, a casing having a hinged cover inclosing said cocks and the clutch-members attached thereto, and clockdriven mechanisms in the cover, normally detachably connected to the clutch-members, one of said .cocks being normally closed and the other normally open.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

BRUNO SCHEIDEMANN. 

